MLB is known for its tradition, its history, and—let’s be honest—its grueling 162-game schedule that feels more like a test of endurance rather than a fan-first experience. While diehards don’t mind catching a game on a rainy Monday night in April, casual fans? They’re checked out by the third inning, and as a result, we get empty stands, poor TV ratings, and questions about how the league plans to stay relevant in a fast-evolving sports landscape.
Enter the Savannah Bananas—a team that has flipped baseball on its head, not just with their showmanship, but also with a schedule that actually makes sense. They have a clear goal: establish a fun and fan-first environment that people want to be part of, and suddenly, MLB’s packed, weather-challenged calendar doesn’t just look old—it looks outdated.
This is where the comparisons started to heat up, and the calls for transformation grew louder. The Bananas do not just know how to entertain—they know how to schedule smartly. By playing only Thursday through Sunday, the Bananas establish consistency in their season, providing fans a predictable window to tune in. With no games Monday to Wednesday, the team utilizes that downtime to travel, rest, and prepare for the upcoming games. As Bananas’ strategist Jesse Cole said, “Does playing on a Monday night in April serve our fans?” Clearly, for them, the answer is no.
Now look at MLB. With games sprawled across all the days of the week, the league stretches its product thin—specifically during cold and rain-soaked Aprils in northern cities. Unlike the Bananas, MLB cannot avoid rough weather and weak crowds by moving games from one city to another; however, it can adapt. For starters, the thought of a universal Monday off is not just gaining popularity—it is becoming a necessity. It would open up space for make-up games, give stars a breather, and enable fans to reset each week.
Even better? More day games in April, when it is warmer, and everyone can actually watch through the final out. The Bananas already know families love daytime fun; MLB could adopt that same energy. Sure, shaving down 162 games is a bigger fight for another time. However, sprinkling in smart scheduling tweaks? That is something MLB can actually do right now. While schedule reform is vital, the discussion does not stop there. In fact, the Bananas have triggered a much larger cultural debate related to what MLB needs to be in the modern era.
MLB’s path forward
After a firsthand experience with the Bananas, The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli posed the big question multiple MLB insiders are now echoing: What can the team of Rob Manfred take away from such a wildly successful and fan-obsessed operation? Turns out—quite a bit. From their crowd-first scheduling model to affordable ticket pricing, the Bananas are rewriting the playbook for building connection and excitement in a game criticized for being stuck in its ways.
What stood out most in Ghiroli’s piece is how Jesse Cole ignored deep-pocketed investors to preserve a larger mission: not chasing billions of dollars, but a billion fans. That thought process—putting access and joy above profit—could look idealistic; however, it is working. MLB does not need to mimic the Bananas’ TikTok dance breaks and yellow uniforms; however, adopting their emphasis on community, fun, and pace-of-play could go a long way in reviving fan engagement, specifically among the younger generation.
Baseball: Party Animals at Savannah Bananas Jun 7, 2025 Charlotte, NC, USA Savannah Bananas welcome the baby banana to the sounds of music from the Lion King during the exhibition game against the Party Animals at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte Bank of America Stadium NC USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJimxDedmonx 20250608_ajw_db2_046
In a time when MLB is continuously searching for ways to attract the spotlight and modernize its image, the Savannah Bananas have become an unlikely blueprint for fan-first creativity. Their success is not just about entertainment; it is about connection, accessibility, and reimagining the experience around the game. MLB does not need to become a circus; however, it could use a little more joy.
`
The post MLB’s Scheduling Chaos Under Scrutiny As League Told To Take Page From Savannah Bananas’ Playbook To Revive Interest appeared first on EssentiallySports.